Sister Teresa Okonski Rsm

Sister Teresa Okonski, RSM ObituaryIn her 63rd year of religious life, Sister Teresa Okonski, RSM, died on August 12, 2025 at the Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse in Erie Pennsylvania.
Born April 29, 1942, in DuBois, PA, the daughter of the late Frank and Bernice (Bertha) Bachmurski Okonski, she was baptized in St. Michael Church in DuBois. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on September 8, 1962, in Titusville, PA, and professed her perpetual vows on August 13, 1970.
A graduate of St. Catherine High School in DuBois, she received her B.A. in 1966 from Mercyhurst College (Univ.) and her M.Ed. in 1975 from Kutztown University, both in education. After teaching elementary education in Erie Catholic diocesan schools for 26 years, she took a sabbatical, and in 1995 began additional studies at Creighton University, Omaha, NE. In 1997, she received her master's degree in Christian Spirituality with certification in Spiritual Direction and Directed Retreats. For some 17 years, her ministry as a spiritual director, and a director of Campus Ministry at Mercyhurst Preparatory School, in Erie, brought her great joy.
As an elementary school educator, Sister Teresa taught at St. Luke and George in Erie; Our Lady of Fatima in Farrell; and Immaculate Conception in Brookville, all in the Erie diocese, and at St. Justin in the Pittsburgh Diocese. For five years, she also served as supportive staff for the administrative of Mercyhurst Prep School. She loved her calling to religious life and to the community life and ministry of the Sisters of Mercy.
In addition to her religious Community, Sister Teresa is survived by her brother Damian and her sister, Virginia (Ginny) Schott and her husband Thomas, and by two nieces, Catherine Skubisz and Christine Smathers.
Friends may call at the Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse, 444 East Grandview Blvd., on Sunday, August 17, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and from 7:00-8:00 p.m. A vigil service will be held there in the evening at 7:00 p.m. Visiting will also be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass on Monday at 10:00 a.m. in the Sisters of Mercy Chapel. The Rite of Committal will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy Ministry Fund, 444 East Grandview Blvd., Erie, PA 16504.
Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory in Erie, PA is handling the arrangements.
Watch the Livestream on Monday starting at 9:50am Kloecker Funeral Home Facebook page. https://m.facebook.com/KloeckerFuneralHome/
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In her 63rd year of religious life, Sister Teresa Okonski, RSM, died on August 12, 2025 at the Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse in Erie Pennsylvania.
Born April 29, 1942, in DuBois, PA, the daughter of the late Frank and Bernice (Bertha) Bachmurski Okonski, she was baptized in St. Michael Church in DuBois. She entered the Sisters o